By Randy Maxwell, Washington Conference vice president for administration
The day before my birthday I received an early present—a phone call from God. This is not hyperbole. The phone rang and God spoke. Let me explain.
It was July 10 of this year—a Friday. Suzette and I were taking a five-mile walk through the Lakeland Hills neighborhood near our home. As we walked, we were in deep conversation about some desert experiences we were going through. Outside forces were stealing our joy and weighing down our spirits.
Suddenly, we heard music and looked around to see where it was coming from. Was a car driving past with windows down and radio volume up? No. And there weren’t other walkers nearby. Weird.
Like the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, we continued walking and discussing “everything that had happened” to burden our hearts. Then it happened again—the music! Again, we’re looking everywhere trying to locate its source. My eyes spotted light coming from Suzette’s pocket. Her phone was “singing” but it wasn’t her usual ring tone, but it was an inspirational message from Instagram, and the message directly addressed the very discussion we were having about processing painful memories and relational hurts. The heading on the Instagram message in all caps read: “GOD IS SHARPENING YOUR DISCERNMENT . . . BUT DO YOU KNOW HOW TO RESPOND WHEN WHAT HE REVEALS HURTS?”
That began a 13-page “letter” that was written as if Jesus joined our conversation and dropped some massive, Spirit-filled wisdom on us that opened our eyes. It was a burning bush moment, and I didn’t want to add anything to it to mess it up.
Truly, before we called, God answered, and while we were yet speaking, He heard us.* It was an amazing demonstration that God is real and was speaking directly to us. That music was God calling, and He was going to keep “ringing” until we picked up. We’re so glad we did!
Listen for ways God speaks to you, and when He calls, pick up!
*Isa. 65:24